436 Rev. S. J. Whitmec on Samoan Birds. 



of which he uever could obtain a specimen^ flying high over 

 the trees. Once, and once only, he saw them settle on a 

 cocoauut-tree. He says they appeared to be entirely green, 

 and considerably less in size than Lorius soUiarius, a small 

 flock of which he once observed in company, but not mixing, 

 with a flight of the others. This bird is probably unknown. 

 Taviuni is so unlike any other island of the group that I 

 should not be surprised at many new things turning up there. 

 I already know four or five species peculiar to it. The high 

 mountain-forests of Viti Levu will also doubtless furnish some 

 new and interesting species when ransacked. 



XXXIX. — List of Samoan Birds, with Notes on their Habits 

 ^c. By the Rev. S. J. Whitmee. 



Part I. Land Birds. 



1. Strix delicatula, Gould. Samoan name Lulu. 

 Common to all the islands. 



2. CoRiPHiLus fringillaceus (Gmel.). Sega = Senga. 

 Very abundant on all the islands during a part of the year. 



The natives believe this bird migrates ; but all I have been 

 able to learn on the subject is, that they are seen passing in 

 flocks from the western to the eastern islands. A few may be 

 found all the year round ; but during several months of the 

 cooler season the cocoanut-trees swarm with them. They 

 appear to feed chiefly on the nectar of the cocoanut-flowers ; 

 but when the Erythrina indica, Lamarck (a tree very com- 

 mon near the coast), flowers, about July and August, they 

 may be seen about it in great numbers. Native boys are 

 very expert at snaring the Sega on the cocoanut-trees. I 

 have never heard of the bird breeding in Samoa ; and the na- 

 tives positively affirm that it does not. I have often obtained 

 examples of this Parrakeet in immature plumage ; but they 

 are always nearly full-grown, and as strong on the wing as 

 old birds. The Samoans are very clever at rearing and keep- 

 ing birds ; and they purchase the Fijian Shining Parrakeet 

 {PyjThuIopsis splendens, Peale) at high prices, and keep them 



